Yahoo Contributor Network, Yahoo Voices is Shutting down…

After 9 years of service Yahoo has decided to shut down its contributor network, Yahoo Voices. I was a contributor, so I also got the email that was sent out to all contributors today.

In case you are wondering what the yahoo contributor network is, here is a little description culled from their website: “Yahoo Contributor Network is a platform that allows you to share your voice and expertise with Yahoo’s online audience of more than 600 million monthly online visitors. Once you register as a contributor, you can start submitting articles, videos, and images – on any topic you choose – and claim assignments to publish on Yahoo sites like Yahoo News, Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo Movies, Yahoo TV, omg!, Yahoo Shine, and Yahoo Voices. Better yet, you’ll have the chance to earn money every time you publish, and your earnings are practically limitless with Yahoo Contributor Network.” The decision to shut this down leaves me with more questions that answers. Like,

The network gets over 600 million online visitors monthly so you would wonder why shut something like that down. As a writer and a web platform owner, it makes me question what real success on the net depends on.

Are we so engulfed with celebrity news that people no longer read other quality content? Why was yahoo finding it hard to sustain? Was the competition just too much, I mean they do have the wikis’, the abouts’ and the e-hows of the internet to compete with. What exactly are people interested in on the internet and how do you sustain in a world where unique content is almost impossible to achieve due to so many people doing the same thing you are? Anyways, In the email they sent, they stated

“You made the past nine years incredible. At Yahoo, we’re focused on making daily habits more inspiring and entertaining. That means we’re constantly reviewing our products and experiences and, in some cases, we have to make tough decisions to no longer support a product. As part of our ongoing effort to sharpen our focus, on July 31, 2014, Voices.Yahoo.com will be shut down; on August 15”

and the email ended with

It has been such an incredible privilege to share your talents with the world over these past nine years. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

In all decisions to end something, there must have been great consideration. Sometimes I wonder if the net is being monopolized. One thing comes to mind, Facebook and their algorithms but that is a topic for another day

I had stopped writing for lack of time and had just decided to take it up again. Had a story ready to post on the 2nd and then saw the email. To me it makes no sense either. 600 million visitors to the site? Of course I have my own opinions about Marissa and the way she is running Yahoo and none of it is good.

Only yesterday I submitted a very valuable and informative article on a hobby to help aquarists with a specific specie symphysodon. Why?

Well after being involved with the web for over 20 years and an influencer I might add. The most logical venue to place articles to aid web readers was Yahoo!

Yahoo no longer commands the World as the Leading Search Engine Google does! Facebook is currently the biggest social network player and so the community requires a steady benchmark venue for quality content and to me it made sense for this to be Yahoo with over 600 million visitors a month.

Albert Einstein once said the day technology takes over from humans, the World will be full of idiots! With these turbulent times born from ignorance and a lack of education we need the human race to digest more knowledge rather than become servants to a device.

I had high hopes for Melissa, but sadly the managing of such a project has allowed the accountants to get involved and then one day sadly, we will all be saying “Remember Yahoo, wasn’t it great in those early days.”

Facebook is diluting it’s brand by the day being a servant to shareholders and Google+ adding to the Gogole Brand each day!

What happened to long term sustainability!

For alas it will be farewell no doubt for what will Yahoo offer that is unique, niche and different!

I just started writing full time in 2012 after some research and the declaration that “Content is King” – this move seems sudden and makes me wonder if the content marketing mania is another bubble?? I’ve had my Yahoo Contributors membership for some time but hadn’t got to writing for them yet. I guess I waited too long. 🙂